The Baltimore Ravens suffered an ugly loss on Thanksgiving, getting blown out by the Cincinnati Bengals, 32-14. It was a horrendous offensive effort with various miscues, and the defense, while they played well for most of the game, eventually broke down late in the contest.
Still, the team has a ton to be thankful for. Despite several underwhelming performances, young stars continued to emerge. One of those players includes defensive tackle Travis Jones.
Jones had perhaps the best performance of any Raven in Week 13. He showcased relentless effort throughout the entire game, making countless plays amid the blowout. He registered a 90.8 defensive grade, per Pro Football Focus (PFF), including a 93.1 run defense grade. The 26-year-old was everywhere on the field, logging five tackles, four stops, one pressure, one QB hit, and a forced fumble and recovery.
This was just another game where Jones stood out as one of the NFL’s biggest rising stars at defensive tackle. In a contract year, he is playing himself to a lucrative deal in the 2026 offseason.
Travis Jones raised his price tag on Thursday night
Like most of the Ravens’ defense, Jones has not had a whole lot of success when it comes to rushing the passer. He only has 1.5 sacks through 13 games, a mark that ranks tied for fifth on the team, but he is also just one sack shy of the team lead. Still, Jones is more of a run stopper and is a reliable piece in the middle of the defensive line in all situations.
After losing Nnamdi Madubuike for the season with a neck injury and a lack of proven talent on the defensive front, a ton of focus has been shifted towards Jones. He has faced countless double teams in 2025, but is doing well against the extra attention.
He has posted a 74.8 overall grade, per PFF, ranking 15th in the NFL among defensive linemen. He also has a 74.8 run defense grade, ranking ninth in the league.
Those numbers are going to come with a hefty price tag by the time free agency comes around. Jones currently projects to earn a $7.9 million salary next year, cashing in on a three-year, $23.8 million deal, according to Spotrac. His impact clearly goes beyond the numbers, and he could likely make more than that in 2026.
Regardless, Jones is a player General Manager Eric DeCosta should make the easy choice to extend. However, if he keeps turning in performances like the one on Thanksgiving night, DeCosta will have to fork up top dollar for his services moving forward.